Hike Buffalo Cave and Echo Crater via Wilderness Trail Craters of the Moon National Monument, ID

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Buffalo Cave and Echo Crater via Wilderness Trail GPX Track

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This route may have access issues.

You need a permit to enter Buffalo Cave. They are free and can be retrieved at the Visitor Center.

Sep 22, 2015 — Craters of the Moon is a devastated landscape covered in volcanic rock and ancient lava flows. Black and red rocks of incredible designs and textures lead trails around craters and cones in this fairly undeveloped land mass in Southern Idaho. The Wilderness Trail of Craters of the Moon National Monument offers a tame experience of hiking through the area. The hike I did starts by following the short Broken Top Loop Trail through interesting black volcanic remains and passes Buffalo Cave. Entering the cave is legal with a permit, so please get one from the Visitor Center prior to entering.

The Broken Top Loop meets with the Wilderness Trail and proceeds through the wilderness boundary and into pretty meadows with very cool contrasting colors. The trail leads to the base of Echo Crater. Apparently a spur trail leads to the center of the crater, but I was more interested in getting to its high point. I left the Wilderness Trail and ascended the northern slope, and then took the ridge to the summit via a social trail. The Wilderness Trail continues farther south, but I was content with a summit of Echo Crater and turning back.

On the way back, I completed the Broken Top Loop Trail, which just wraps around a little hill toward the start of the hike.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Echo Crater

5847 ft

n/a rise

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Crazy formations along Broken Top Loop Trail

Start of Broken Top Loop Trail

Buffalo Cave

Start of the Wilderness Trail

Lava Trees along the Wilderness Trail

The long, tedious hike into the Craters of the Moon wilderness

Along the Wilderness Trail

Echo Crater ahead.

Echo Crater.

Ascending Echo Crater

Almost at the top of the crater rim.

Looking into Echo Crater.

Close-up.

Looking southeast from the Echo Crater rim.

Looking back toward the Wilderness Trail on the top of Echo Crater

Along the Wilderness Trail.

Looking back along the Wilderness Trail.

Eastern section of Broken Top Loop Trail

Along the eastern section of Broken Top Loop Trail

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!